“Hey! Do you want another drink?”, Varun asked.

“Oh yeah! I’d love it!”, Anamika smirked.

The time had started flowing. Three hours had passed by without any of their knowledge. The second drink was soon served. It was all the more chilled than the previous one. The night got cooler as well. She took a long sip heartily and got immersed yet again into the deep conversation. Which by then had gone beyond the business. He occasionally talked of the new venture he had started. She was captivated by the way he multi-tasked so many things, and yet found well deserved time to party hard! Not quite like her though, but impressive nevertheless.

By then Varun knew he had won her over. She could sense it through his unuttered words. He wanted to spend more time with her, silent or not he enjoyed being around her.

“Would you like to order main course?”, Varun asked.

“NO!! I’m too full!”

“Not even green tea?”

“I really can’t eat more!”

“Hmm..OK.”

“What happened?”

“You promised to have green tea with me!”

“Yeah right! With stomach full?”

“OK madam! Nothing more! Shall I ask for the bill?”

“Yes Please!”, she smiled.

Anamika checked out her watch and almost jumped up! It was 11:15PM. She was expected to be home almost an hour prior to that. She was anxious about having to listen to a lot of music after getting home. She kicked herself in mind. Definitely not a great idea to loiter around at night with almost-a-stranger. She tried to appear calm and waited for the payment to be done. 

Varun was a member of the hotel and made that quite obvious with the card, which he flaunted with pride. Anamika was in no mood to acknowledge anything anymore, for all she wanted was to get back home.

Anamika avoided peeping into the bill. He removed a wad of notes from his wallet and paid. The treat was on him, and she was practically cashless that very moment. The waiter came with the change, and Varun left a hefty tip for him. She neglected it and appeared uneasy. All she wanted was to get the hell out of there.

Varun rose to leave, and she followed his footsteps. Walking with too much of self-talk she missed on the step, and almost fell onto the ground. He had walked off by then, oblivious to what was happening behind his back, literally.

Looking at her tensed face after the mini fall he asked “Do you wanna use the restroom?”

“No! I’m alright. Let’s move.”

“Sure!”

They walked towards the elevator, and he waited till she pressed the button. He glanced at her, while she gave him a coy look and entered the elevator. Her heart started pounding, with the thought of being all alone in the elevator with him. He stood in the opposite corner , his arms folded, eyeing her head to toe. She melted down in her sandals, and wanted to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. A feeling of entrapment enveloped her. Tiny beads of sweat had gathered on her forehead. The air conditioner could not cool her down. While nervously looking around, she spotted a CCTV camera. A sudden feeling of relief washed over her. She relaxed a bit and leaned on the walls of the elevator. 

Anamika was emotionally worked up with the innumerable thoughts that were going on in her mind. His lustful looks were annoying her greatly. Even after adoring him deeply, she just could not imagine letting him invade her physical privacy. 

Varun broke the silence, “What a beautiful watch!”

Anamika looked at her watch and smiled at him, “Thanks!”

“Oh! Not yours, the one on the screen!”, and he burst out laughing uncontrollably. 

“Very funny!”, she was visibly annoyed.

“Hey sorry! I was just trying to cheer you up!”

“I’m having a headache. I want some rest.”

“I’d take you home. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks!”, Anamika gave a faint smile and looked away at the screen of the elevator. It had reached the lobby. She felt relieved. Willingly walked out of it, the moment the doors of it parted open. Ignorant if Varun was following her or not.

[…to be continued]